We are thrilled to present, in partnership with Theo Chocolate, our PCC Farmland Trust Organic Fair Trade Cherry & Chili Dark Chocolate Bar. Fifty cents from the sale of each bar purchased at PCC Natural Markets will be donated to the Farmland Trust.

This 70% dark chocolate bar is a culmination of organic goodness — full of Washington state organic cherries and organic guajilo and ancho chilies locally grown by Alvarez Organic Farms in the Yakima Valley.

“The opportunity to do something special in partnership with PCC Farmland Trust was an obvious choice for Theo: preserving organic ecosystems here and abroad is essential to our mission. It’s energizing to be in a position to support the vital work of the Farmland Trust here in Washington,” says Theo vice president Deb Music.

Theo Chocolate is the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States, and is IMO Fair for Life certified. [Read More]

Your contribution makes a real difference to farms and farmers

Our 2011 annual campaign letter features an introduction to Gary and Lois Fisher and their farm, Camelot Downs.

Farmers like the Fishers inspire us to preserve more organic farms, using what's referred to as an organic agricultural conservation easement. These easements are currently the best preservation tool we have, but as with anything involving land, they take a high degree of capital and skill.

That is why we ask that you consider making a donation. Your contribution will help ensure that we save as many farms as possible and offer tangible support to our local farmers and their ability to sustain livelihoods.

So far, with your support, we’ve been able to preserve nine farms, all the way from Sequim to Walla Walla. The farmers we work with produce the tastiest carrots, eggs and meats for local consumers, fresh greens and other produce for restaurants across the state, grains and beans for major manufacturers—and much, much more. Together, we're making a real difference, and supporting the work of those on the ground, and in the fields.

Look for our new signs at PCC Natural Markets

New in all nine PCC Natural Markets stores: PCC Farmland Trust signs!

We'll be updating these signs monthly with the very latest news, events, tours and announcements. You can subscribe to our e-newsletter on your smart phone with a handy QR code, learn how to sign up for restoration work parties, and find out all the latest news about PCC Farmland Trust and organic farmland conservation--and much more.

Restoration Work Parties: another way of helping local organic farmers

Restoration work parties are a great way of getting your hands dirty and really helping your local farmer. These volunteer events are also an essential part of our Stewardship Program, and are an opportunity to get to know the farms and farmers that we have the privilege to work with.

During our most recent restoration work party in October, approximately 75 volunteers came out to Tahoma Farms in Orting. The goal was to plant native trees and shrubs on the farm to increase biodiversity and habitat, and improve water and air quality. The task at hand was large, but all 860 plants are now in the ground--and the sense of accomplishment was palpable.

[You can read more about the Tahoma Farms restoration work party here.]

Farm policy roundup

Food and Farm policy is heating up this week as we’re on the eve of the Agriculture Committee fulfilling their goal of completing detailed food and farm bill legislation within two weeks – yes you heard that right, 2 weeks. This is usually a year plus process and they'd like to do it in 2 weeks behind closed doors. This would be the fastest food and farm bill decision-making process in history.

This proposal would wipe out over 40% of funding increases for conservation and environmental initiatives achieved in the 2002 and 2008 food and farm bills, setting the clock back and “un-greening” the farm bill. Moreover, it is unclear what the proposal would do to the fair and healthy farm and food system programs won in 2008--programs that are in need of being renewed in this new farm bill.

Despite this set-back, a major new bill was announced in the House and Senate. On Tuesday, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine and 35 original co-sponsors introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act (S. 1773, H.R. 3286), a comprehensive bill intended for inclusion in the 2012 Farm Bill. The legislation helps farmers and ranchers by addressing production, aggregation, processing, marketing, and distribution needs to access growing local and regional food markets. The bill also assists consumers by improving access to healthy food.... [Read More]

Donor spotlight: Bronwyn & Brian Scott

Bronwyn Scott and her husband Brian are new members of the Farmland Sustaining Circle. They raise ducks in their Queen Anne neighborhood and have 3 children. She teaches at Kaplan University and University of Phoenix, and is active with King County Conservation Voters and the Medieval Women’s Choir. Brian, formerly at Microsoft, now teaches Physics at Bellevue College and loves making various fermented foods. His father is an antique tractor restorer who likes to plow with farmer Erick Haakenson of Jubilee Farm.

Q: How did you first get involved with PCC Farmland Trust?
Bronwyn: I have known about the Trust for many years. However, I first became involved through one of the Local Chefs for Local Farms dinners.

Q: What personal experiences have fed your interest in local, organic food?
Bronwyn: I have always been interested in agriculture, mostly in urban edible gardening. However, I did work on an apple orchard in E. Washington when I was younger, and almost married an apple farmer! I am also an ecologist and an environmentalist, and so am aware of the many positive aspects of local and organic food to both the community and our soil (both of which are valuable resources).
Brian: My father grew up on a farm in Kansas. I remember going out to visit my grandfather on his farm. My parents always had a vegetable garden, so gardening and agriculture have always had some part in my life.

Q: Where do you think the sustainable agriculture movement should focus its energy?
Bronwyn: It would be nice to see reasonable quality food become more broadly available to all economic levels. In addition, people are not being trained to cook and buy their own food anymore. We should be offering “Home Ec.” type classes to all children in our schools.
Brian: We currently garden in a P-patch in Seattle. Recently there is a huge increase in the number of people interested in plots and increasing the amount of food that they can grow. I think there is an opportunity to teach organic gardening and sustainable practices to these new urban gardeners.

Despite protests on city streets, we do glimpse the presence of cooperation and thoughtful negotiation unfolding. The James Beard Foundation, which normally honors chefs, has moved to recognize folks in the sustainable food movement, citing a need for compromise by “honoring corporations who are making incremental changes.” ....[Read More]